I've been thinking for a while that someone ought to put together a database of veg-friendly restaurants organized by highway, rather than by town. Like, when I'm driving on Route 80 (which I do pretty often), I'd be willing to go to anywhere along a 30 mile or so stretch of it to stop for lunch, but I'm not willing to go too far off the highway and thus lose time. But searching every town along that stretch of the highway is a pain.

I've been thinking for a while that someone ought to put together a database of veg-friendly restaurants organized by highway, rather than by town. Like, when I'm driving on Route 80 (which I do pretty often), I'd be willing to go to anywhere along a 30 mile or so stretch of it to stop for lunch, but I'm not willing to go too far off the highway and thus lose time. But searching every town along that stretch of the highway is a pain.

some day it'll happen. i have had veganroadtrips.com registered for some time now. my husband is working on designing the database right now. it'll take some time. but eventually you'll be able to actually use the site and any smartphone apps that go along with it. <3 i'll let you know when it's ready for beta testers.

doing it analog, it looks like you'll have bethlehem, allentown, harrisburg PA, roanoke VA, knoxville & chattanooga TN. during your last leg you should probably switch to I-26 and go through asheville NC instead of TN. (and now finishing reading the thread, i see another great mind already suggested that)

the only place i've been to on that route is vegan treats. :-) but i'm sure that was already on your radar.

If you are going by Blacksburg, stop at Gillies. It is only a couple miles off 81. The VT campus is pretty. Also, stop at Natural Bridge. It is owned by wacko young Earth creationists, but it is still one of the geologic wonders of the east coast.

_________________"This is the creepiest post ever if you don't know who Molly is." -Fee"a vegan death match sounds like something where we all end up hugging." -LisaPunk

chatanooga also has a big whole foods sorta market, but it still has the hippy element and is great--locally owned place--google for the name of it. they have awesome awesome hot n cold sammiches made to order.

_________________Cake Maker to the Starspakupaku"Stupid society. I'm gonna go put on bikini kill."~Susie Tofu Monster"Kittee is wise. Listen to Kittee."~Aruna--> the PPKr currently known as mumbaikar

Thank you all! I took linanil's advice and packed tons of snacks and then stopped at Rosetta's for lunch where we happened upon a Pandacookie, just pandaing around. She let us take her picture!

There are a ton of fast food places, including chipotle, but it is nice not to have to spend too long off the road with a wee infant.

Lava we stopped at the natural bridge but because of icicles there was no hiking and it cost a whopping $16pp just to go close enough to see it. It wasn't worth it for us (and we were not set up for the baby) - but maybe in the summer - it is really just 5 mins off 81!

And we did see Hungry Mother! I got excited and yelled your name T, and my husband thought I was nutso!

Stayed in Roanoke overnight and my husband brought me a box of food from Country Cookin - all vegan sides. I realize that my palate is just not used to processed food anymore. But it has vegan options and is right (2m) off 81 and convenient to the La Quinta

_________________My oven is bigger on the inside, and it produces lots of wibbly wobbly, cake wakey... stuff. - The PoopieB.